Contact: Emily Springer | sprin116@msu.edu 
Contact: Jessica Bilodeau | bilodj32@msu.edu
 

EAST LANSING, MI—Susan Sheth, director of Michigan State University’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) office, has been honored with the 2026 Michigan Pre-College Youth Outreach Distinguished Practitioner Award for her commitment to expanding access to higher education and creating educational opportunities for young people.

GATE, housed in University Outreach and Engagement (UOE), provides accelerated enrichment and learning opportunities for advanced learners to develop intellectually, cultivate social relationships, and expand their understanding of the world around them. Sheth received the award from the Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach Conference at their annual gathering on Oct. 22, 2026.

“Susan’s work has created meaningful opportunities for students to engage with higher education long before they reach college,” said UOE Vice Provost Kwesi Brookins. “This recognition is a testament to her leadership, which continues to shape how MSU supports young learners and their families as they explore their educational futures.” 

For more than a decade, Sheth has led the program through several successful initiatives, including expanding GATE’s offerings to students in Grades 4-12. Prior to her leadership, programming was limited to middle and high school students. Her efforts broadened access to GATE programming for younger advanced learners.

Sheth also played a pivotal role in advancing MSU’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school students in Grades 9.5-12 with a 3.0 GPA or higher to participate in select undergraduate courses while still in high school. The program’s growth led to the establishment of a dedicated Dual Enrollment Office in 2025 with Sheth serving as director. The office reflects increased interest in dual enrollment and her commitment to helping students navigate their transition to college-level learning.

In addition to serving as director of GATE, Sheth was named interim director of UOE's Office of College Access Initiatives, further emphasizing her efforts to expand access to higher education for students across Michigan.

Sheth’s award comes just weeks after MSU hosted its annual Pre-College Showcase, which brought together MSU partners working in pre-college outreach to connect, collaborate, and share resources that encourage young people to envision themselves as future college students.

The showcase highlighted the university’s collective efforts to inspire future Spartans by increasing access to educational experiences and strengthening connections to post-secondary education.

“The Pre-College Showcase was a great opportunity to see the variety of programs available to K-12 students,” said participant Jessica Brandt, assistant director of admissions with MSU’s Honors College. “It also helped us identify opportunities to collaborate and support one another rather than duplicate efforts that are already making an impact.”

To learn more about Gifted and Talented Education, visit the GATE website.